Automatic exhaust valve for underwater respiration apparatus



1952 A. NOVELLI ETAL 3,062,207

AUTOMATIC EXHAUST VALVE FOR UNDERWATER RESPIRATION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTOR' AZbe/"Zo NoueZZzI, Pc'ezfro Bzggz'a/zb' i/W 3m, MM

Nov. 6, 1962 A. NOVELLI ETAL 3,062,207

AUTOMATIC EXHAUST VALVE FOR UNDERWATER RESPIRATION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Hg. 4

lNl/E/YTURS Alberzio A oveZlb', Pietro Bzgqgb'ami Q/mfim wgm Unite rates Patented Nov. 6, 1962 3,052,297 AUTOMATKC EXHAUST VALVE FOR UNDER- WATER RESPRATEQN APPARATUS Alberto Novelli and Pietro Buggiani, both of 46 Via Solfatara, Naples, Italy Filed Jan. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 706,990 4 Claims. (Cl. 128142) The present invention relates to underwater respiration apparatus and more particularly to an exhaust valve designed for operation with the respiration apparatus.

in underwater respiration apparatus wherein there is provided an exhaust valve for venting exhaust gases into the water during the expiration phase, one disadvantage lies in the fact that there is, oftentimes, a spontaneous loss of gas immediately following the completion of the expiration phase and at the inception of the inspiration phase; this loss of gas is principally due to the difierence in pressure in the apparatus itself and at the exhaust valve. Also, this loss of gas may be affected in accordance with the position taken by the operator or swimmer.

The present invention, therefore, provide an automatic and balanced .exhaust valve including suitable resistance which permits its operation; i.e. the resistance effect at a desired moment is neutralized by a force or effect coming from a lung bag (or delivery box) or other so-callcd air regulator of the respiration apparatus.

The exhaust valve of the present invention may be placed immediately adjacent the gas delivery box or lung bag or it may be placed in the vicinity of the mouthpiece.

If respiration apparatus of the type designed for gas re-utilization is equipped with this valve, the conveyance of gas is insured regardless of the pressure exerted against the delivery box (or against the lung bag) with respect to the pressure at the exhaust valve.

According to the present invention, the exhaust valve is so designed that it will operate only when it receives an impulse (movement, stress, or any other action) coming from the delivery box, from the lung bag, or from any other unit capable of delivering such an impulse. In this way, the spontaneous losses of respiration gas are entirely eliminated; that is, even if the exhaust valve and the device effecting the impulses are located in different places on the body, or if they are located relatively close to one another, the difference in pressure at these two elements does not aifect their working because the actuating element controls the exhaust valve through a mechanical means.

Finally, in accordance with the present invention, the exhaust port is provided with an issue valve operating in a direction from the interior to the exterior of the apparatus, for instance, one of the so called duck beak valves which may be applied at the end or along the corrugated hose connected to the exhaust port, which issue valve will always be oriented upwardly and at a level higher than the exhaust valve itself.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide, in an underwater respiration apparatus, an exhaust valve of the type referred to above which will operate in response to a predetermined impulse created in timed relation with the end of the expiration phase.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section view (partly exploded) showing an automatic exhaust valve provided with an operating resistance and coupled with a respiration mouthpiece;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FEGURE 3 is a longitudinal section View, taken in a vertical plane, of an exhaust valve constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 3, showing its relationship with a mouthpiece;

FEGURE S is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG- URE 3, showing another embodiment of an exhaust valve constructed in accordance with the present invention, the valve being associated with the respiration apparatus in the region of the delivery box;

FEGURE 6 is a semi-diagrammatic view, partly in perspective and partly in side elevation, of the structure shown in FIG. 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fra mentary elevation of the internal valve structure shown in FIGURE 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, in FIGURE 1 the valve includes a hollow cylindrical body having a forward part 1 and a rearward part 2, the latter being connected to a hose 3 coming from the respiration apparatus and serving as a chamber of admission for the gases from the respiration apparatus. The cylindrical parts 1 and 2 are separated by internal crown 4 which forms a seat for the seal gasket 11 of the operating valve.

The cylindrical part 1 is provided with holes 5 through which the exhaust gas is expelled into water. The outer end of this cylindrical part 1 is threaded so as to receive thereon a cap 6. The central portion of the cap 6 is attached to one end of a cable 7 of a transmission of the Bowden type coming from the respiration apparatus.

A plate 10 is slidably received on the cable 7 and a cylindrical gasket or sleeve 8 surrounds the cable between the cap e and the hub portion of the plate 10. A spring 9 surrounds the gasket and bears against the inner surface of the cap 6 and against the left-hand surface of the plate 19. The effect of the spring mounting of the plate 16 is to urge the gasket 11 against the crown portion 4 separating the two cylindrical parts 1 and 2 as indicated heretofore. The spring 9 also urges the plate It) against the left-hand end of the sheath portion 12 of the Bowden transmission.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the valve unit is made inte ral with the conventional mouthpiece for the respiration apparatus. The mouthpiece, generally designated by the reference character 17, communicates with chamber 13 which in turn communicates with another chamber 14. The chamber 13 connects with a piece of hose 15 which fits into a flexible hose protruding above the water level, for example. Chamber 14 communicates with the chamher 2 through the passage 16. A piston 18, operated by an external knob 19, will permit the chamber 13 to be placed in communication with the chamber 14 or with the tube 15, depending upon whether the swimmer wishes to breath fresh air direct from the outside through the tube 15 or from the respiration apparatus through the passage 16, etc.

The tension of the spring 9 is predetermined and therefore the valve (shown particularly in FIGURE 1) is regulated in accordance with the volume of gas contained in the delivery box of the respiration apparatus as will hereinafter appear.

If the right-hand ends of the Bowden transmission, i.e. the cable 7 and the sheath 12, are connected to two portions of the delivery box or lung bag) of the respiration unit such that these two portions are movable as the delivery box expands during the expiration phase, it should be evident that the sheath 12 will slide relative to the cable 7. Thus, in some predetermined condition of expansion of the delivery box, the force of the sheath 12 against the plate 10 will be suflicient to overcome the pressure of the spring 9 such that the plate to and the gasket 11 are displaced towards the left, permitting excess exhaust gases to be vented into the water. It should be pointed out that the valve described above will permit air to be exhausted from the system but will prevent water from seeping into the apparatus. It should also be apparent from the foregoing description that the operation of apparatus will be entirely independent of the position of use of the apparatus in the water.

In FIGURES 3 and 4, the illustrated apparatus includes a cylindrical body 2%) divided into two chambers 21 and 22 which are connected to two corrugated tubes 23 and 24, respectively. The tube 23 is connected to the delivery box or lung bag, whereas the corrugated tube 24- is connected to an issue valve for instance of the drier-beak type (not shown).

Chambers 21 and 22 of the tubular body 2th are divided by a partition plate 25 which is shaped in the form of the letter Z the intermediate portion of which includes a valve seat 26.

A support 27 is mounted in the chamber 21 by means of a screw 28. The right-hand end of the cable 29 of a Bowden transmission is secured to the lower end of the support 27. A lever 36 is pivotally mounted on the support 27, the lower left-hand arm of this lever being connected to the right-hand portion of the sheath 31 of the Bowden transmission. A movable gasket 32 is pivotally mounted on the other arm of the lever in a position above the seat 26 previously described. A spring 33 bears against the upper portion of the chamber 21 and against the right-hand arm of the lever 39 so as to urge the gasket 32 into seating relation on the seat 26, thereby closing communication between the chambers 21 and 22.

If (as indicated heretofore with relation to the description of the Bowden connection shown in FIGURE 1) the cable 29 and the sheath 31 of the Bowden transmission shown in FIGURE 3 are connected at their other ends to movable portions of an expandable lung bag, or delivery box, it should be apparent that sliding movement of the sheath 31 relative to the cable 29 will cause the lever 30 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction so as to lift the gasket 32 from the seat 26 thus permitting excess exhaust gas to be vented through the hose 24 after the lung bag (not shown) has expanded a predetermined amount.

It has been set forth heretofore, that a duck-beak" issue valve (not shown) is located at the other end of the tube 24, but it should be further pointed out that this duck-beak valve is constructed in such a way that, together with its tube, it has a high tendency to float, regardless of the position assumed by the swimmer or operator. Thus, the tube connecting with the duck-beak valve will always assume a vertical position and the issue valve, that is, the duck-beak valve will always be oriented above any other portion of the respiration apparatus. Therefore, with regard to this duck-beak valve the same will always be under a lower pressure than that in any other part of the respiration apparatus.

In light of the above, the pressure in the chamber 22 will be less than that in the chamber 21, and, as an immediate consequence thereof, the gasket 32 will tend to be forced into a closed position; also as a result of the above condition, when the valve 32 is opened, the difference in pressure between the chambers 22 and 21 will cause a rapid outflow of the air issuing into the chamber 22. Furthermore, the form of the duck-beak issue valve is such as to prevent any water from entering into the apparatus.

Finally, the remote position of the issue valve permits the venting of the exhausted gases at a point away from the eye-piece without affecting the visibility.

FIGURES 5 and 6 show an exhaust valve wherein elements 34 and 35 represent two movable portions of an expandable delivery box which is not otherwise set forth in detail. For example, elements 54, forming one side of the delivery box shown in FIGURE 5, are connected to the collector box comprising chambers 36 and 37 which are provided with a central battle 3%; the other elements 35, forming the other side of the expandable lung bag, are pivotally mounted at their lower ends to the elements 3%.

Section (chamber) 36 is connected with a tube which leads to the duck-beak valve described hereto-fore, whereas section (chamber) 37 is connected to a hose leading to the source of'respiration gas.

Valves 39 and iii are spring mounted in sections 36 and 37, respectively. A lever er is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a support 45 which projects outwardly from sections as and 37 and between elements and 35. The right-hand end of the lever 41 engages an eye 4-2 which is fastened to the movable element 35 of the lung bag. 'lhe left-hand end of the lever acts the stem of the valve 39 through the adjustable sore. The right-hand arm of the lever 41 also is adapted to act on the stem or" the valve '40.

From the above, it should appear that relative pivotal movement between the elements 34 and 35 of the lung bag will cause a rocking of the lever 41 whereby the stems of the valves 35 and 49 are operated alternatively, one valve being open while the other is closed.

During the inspiration phase, elements 35 will be substantially coplanar with elements 34 whereby valve 39 will be closed and valve 49 will be open to permit the introduction of gas into the delivery box; in the expiration phase however, the elements 35 will pivot outwardly relative to the elements 34- such that the valve 40 will close under the action of its spring and the valve 39 will open so as to permit a discharge of excess exhaust gases through the section 36 of the valve illustrated 1 herein.

The adjustable screw 43 located at the outer end of the left-hand arm of the lever 41, acts as a tappet for establishing the time when the valve 39 will be opened relative to the degree of separation between elements 34 and 35 during the expiration phase and, therefore, determines the amount of exhaust gases which are to be recovered from the expiration phase for reuse during the subsequent inspiration phase.

FIGURE 6 shows that a mouthpiece, generally designated by the reference character 44, may be attached directly to the delivery box, if desired.

Although the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be pointed out that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What we claim is:

1. In an underwater respiration apparatus, a mouthpiece, an expansible delivery box intercommunicating with said mouthpiece, an exhaust chamber, an exhaust valve disposed substantially in the direct line of flow of exhaust gases exhaled through said mouthpiece for connecting said mouthpiece with said exhaust chamber, means for resiliently urging said exhaust valve into a closed position to prevent exhaust gases from passing into said exhaust chamber, and means responsive to a predetermined expansion of said delivery box for opening said exhaust valve, whereby exhaust gases in excess of those re-usable during a subsequent inhalation phase are vented directly into said exhaust chamber.

2. In an underwater respiration apparatus, a mouthpiece, an expansible delivery box intercommunicating with said mouthpiece, an exhaust chamber, an exhaust valve disposed substantially in the direct line of flow of exhaust gases exhaled through said mouthpiece for connecting said mouthpiece with said exhaust chamber, means for resiliently urging said exhaust valve into a closed position to prevent exhaust gases from passing into said exhaust chamber, a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said exhaust valve and engaging said exhaust valve at one end of said lever, and means responsive to a predetermined expansion of said delivery box for pivoting said lever so as to open said exhaust valve, whereby exhaust gases in excess of those re-usable during a subsequent inhalation phase are vented directly into said exhaust chamber.

3. In an underwater respiration apparatus, a mouthpiece, an expansible delivery box intercommunicating with said mouthpiece, an exhaust chamber, an exhaust valve disposed substantially in the direct line of flow of exhaust gases exhaled through said mouthpiece for connecting said mouthpiece with said exhaust chamber, means for resiliently urging said exhaust valve into a closed position to prevent exhaust gases from passing into said exhaust chamber, a lever mounted adjacent said exhaust valve and operatively connected to said exhaust valve, and a Bowden transmission having a central cable connected at one end to a fixed point at said delivery box and at its other end to a fixed support adjacent said lever, said central cable having mounted thereon a slidable sheath connected at one end to a movable portion of said delivery box and connected at its other end to one end of said lever, said sheath moving said lever to open said exhaust valve in response to a predetermined expansion of said delivery box, whereby exhaust gases in excess of those re-usable during a subsequent inhalation phase are vented directly into said exhaust chamber.

4. In an underwater respiration apparatus, a mouthpiece, an expansible delivery box intercommunicating with said mouthpiece, an exhaust chamber, an exhaust valve disposed substantially in the direct line of flow of exhaust gases exhaled through said mouthpiece for connecting said mouthpiece with said exhaust chamber, means for resiliently urging said exhaust valve into a closed position to prevent exhaust gases from passing into said exhaust chamber, a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said exhaust valve and engaging said exhaust valve at one end of said lever, means responsive to a predetermined expansion of said delivery box for pivoting said lever so as to open said exhaust valve, whereby exhaust gases in excess of those re-usable during a subsequent inhalation phase are vented directly into said exhaust chamber, a source of respiration gas, a conduit connecting said delivery box with said source of respiration gas, a supply valve mounted in said conduit and resiliently urged towards a closed position preventing communication between said delivery box and said source of respiration gas, and means for resiliently urging said supply valve towards its closed position, said lever being engageable with said supply valve so as to move said supply valve against the action of its resiliently urging means to provide open communication between said delivery box and said source of respiration gas when said delivery box is in a non-expanded condition, whereby fresh respiration gas will pass into said delivery box when the latter is in its non-expanded condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,131,490 Drager Mar. 9, 1915 2,792,831 Gagnan May 21, 1957 2,810,387. Arpin et a1. Oct. 22, 1957 2,818,858 Holrn Jan. 7, 1958 2,843,120 Thaurer et a1 July 15, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 917,321 France Sept. 9, 1946 201,171 Australia Feb. 24, 1956 

